𝑳𝒊𝒇𝒆'𝒔 𝑻𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒂𝒕𝒉..|18+

2nd chapter

The Backyard of the Hotel

Karan led a girl out to the backyard of the hotel, away from the crowd and noise of the party.
He turned to face her, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"You’re looking very beautiful today," he said.

Ishika smirked playfully. “I know I’m beautiful.”

“No, really,” Karan said, his eyes gentle. “You look very pretty tonight.”

Ishika raised an eyebrow. “So… why did you bring me here?”

Karan stepped closer. “Because, Ishika, you didn’t give me my birthday gift.”

Ishika chuckled. “I did. It’s inside the party hall with the rest of the gifts.”

Karan pulled her a little closer, voice softer now. “That gift was from uncle. You didn’t give me anything special.”

Ishika looked at him, a bit flustered. “What gift should I even give you now? I’ll give it tomorrow at school.”

“No,” Karan said firmly. “I want it now.”

Before Ishika could respond, Karan leaned in and kissed her gently on the forehead.

Ishika froze, shocked.
After a moment, she tried to step back, confused and overwhelmed.

Five silent minutes passed, the tension thick in the air.
Then, Karan broke the silence.

“Will you be my girlfriend, Ishika?”

Ishika stared at him, stunned by the question.
Karan gently held her, but Ishika quickly pushed him away and ran, disappearing before he could stop her.

Karan stood there, trying to process everything.
Ishika hadn’t just run away—she had vanished from his sight entirely.

Back at the party, Ishika avoided Karan, not speaking a word to him.
Eventually, the party ended, and Mr. Khurana left with his daughters.

---

Next Day: School

It was the second-last exam of 8th grade for Simran, Ishika, and Shanaya.
Karan, Aliyan, and Rudransh were having their second-last exam of 9th grade.

In school, Ishika was unusually quiet. Simran and Shanaya noticed immediately.

“Ishika, why are you so quiet today?” Simran asked, concerned.

“Nothing happened,” Ishika replied quickly.

Shanaya crossed her arms. “Something must’ve happened. You never stay this quiet. Tell us what’s going on.”

Ishika looked between her two friends, hesitant. Then she spoke.

“Karan… proposed to me.”

Simran and Shanaya’s jaws dropped.
They looked at each other in shock.

Simran gasped. “Karan bhai proposed to you? And what did you say?!”

“I didn’t say anything…” Ishika muttered. “I didn’t know what to say.”

Shanaya asked gently, “What do you want to say?”

Ishika sighed. “You both already know, don’t you? Why are you even asking?”

Simran smiled. “If you like him too, then why didn’t you just say yes?”

“I was scared,” Ishika admitted. “That’s why.”

Simran said firmly, “Then you have to go and talk to him. Tell him how you feel.”

Shanaya nodded in agreement. “Yes. Go now, before he misunderstands.”

Ishika hesitated. “I’ll message him.”

“Don’t you think this should be said face to face?” Shanaya asked.

“No… I’m too shy,” Ishika replied with a small smile.

“Fine. Then message him,” Simran said. “But at least tell him.”

“Okay, but first I have to tell you something else,” Ishika said, glancing between them.

“What is it?” they asked together.

“Promise me you won’t make fun of me,” Ishika said seriously.

“We promise,” they replied.

Ishika took a breath.

“Yesterday… Karan kissed me.”

“WHAT?!” Simran and Shanaya exclaimed in unison.

Shanaya looked stunned. “You didn’t stop him?!”

“I tried!” Ishika said quickly. “But he didn’t stop.”

They both stared at her, then burst out laughing.

“You’re faster than all of us!” Simran teased.

Ishika pouted. “You both promised not to make fun of me!”

“Okay, okay,” Shanaya said, still smiling. “Let’s go home now.”

They all got into their respective cars and left the school, their hearts full of secrets and stories that had just begun.